Money matter of purse and personality
Not all board members are created equal.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board of directors has the option to receive $80 per meeting, per Nevada Revised Statutes. The travel board also will reimburse directors for mileage at the current Internal Revenue Service rate, 56.5 cents.
Not all choose to take the pay.
Through June 30, members Paul Chakmak and Councilman Steve Ross waived all compensation and mileage reimbursement. Mayor Carolyn Goodman waived compensation, but received mileage reimbursement.
With one or two exceptions, Councilman George Rapson did not receive reimbursement for mileage.
Kristin McMillan donated her compensation to the authority’s Employee Recreation Committee, a not-for-profit group of employee volunteers who raise funds to sponsor employee events throughout the year.
Commissioner Tom Collins, Scott Nielson, Commissioner Lawrence Weekly, Tom Jenkin, Chuck Bowling, Mayor Shari Buck, Mayor Andy Hafen, Greg Lee and Mayor Pro Tem Cam Walker received compensation and mileage.
New board member John Caparella is waiving his compensation and mileage reimbursement. Mayor John Lee hasn’t been sworn in yet, so hasn’t officially declared his intentions.
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Las Vegas’ largest pawn chain has something to celebrate.
In mid-July, SuperPawn celebrated the relocation of its store at 3104 N. Rainbow Blvd. with a party that included Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow and representatives from the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce. With 22 stores in the area, SuperPawn invested more than $500,000 in this move.
The party also included a donation-check presentation to Spread the Word Nevada and Sewell Elementary School.
The SuperPawn brand is a subsidiary of Cash America International Inc., which also provides pawn loans under the brand name Cash America Pawn. The company operates eight locations in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Washington. Its stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CSH.
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Pretty soon, your neighborhood might be smashing.
By September, Smashburger is set to open three new locations, bringing the Southern Nevada total to eight. The new stores are expected to create more than 100 new jobs.
The company plans to open more than 50 locations worldwide by the end of 2014, bringing its total to roughly 250. As of now it operates more than 200 corporate and franchise restaurants in 29 states and four international locations. The Smashburger brand is operated by Consumer Capital Brands, which also manages the USA Pro Challenge, Tom’s Urban 24, Live Basil Pizza and Consumer Concept Group. The Denver-based company also has invested in Centennial Bank and Frontrange Property Partners.
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California law firm Newmeyer & Dillion LLP now has a home in Las Vegas.
The business- and real estate-centric firm employs about 60 attorneys. The partner in charge of the Las Vegas branch is Nathan Owens, who specializes in business, real estate and construction litigation
“Opening the Las Vegas office has created an excellent opportunity to be a local asset to clients who conduct business in Nevada,” managing partner Jeff Dennis said.
The company, headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif., with a Northern California office in Walnut Creek, selected the Hughes Center for its Las Vegas outpost.
Contact reporter Laura Carroll at
lcarroll@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588.
Follow @lscvegas on Twitter.
